... The Chief of Public Safety has conducted a full investigation of the actions of his officers and I have reviewed it with our Counsel.

... I have requested the now former head of RIRA’s Public Safety Committee to meet with Chief Guerra and to review all of the information on this incident and to report to both RIRA and RIOC on his findings. He has indicated that if so requested by RIRA, he will proceed. I suggest that all await the full findings before leaping to any conclusions.

I inquired of Mr. Shane whether Mr. Guerra's report on the incident would be made available for the Roosevelt Island community to review.

Will you be releasing the Review conducted by Public Safety Department Chief Guerra regarding the recent arrest of the Little League Parent during the ball field permit dispute to the public that was mentioned in your June 9 statement below?

The Chief of Public Safety has conducted a full investigation of the actions of his officers and I have reviewed it with our Counsel.

Your column indicated that you have asked the former head of RIRA's Public Safety Committee to review the information but that should not preclude the rest of the Roosevelt Island Public from learning the contents of Chief Guerra's completed report now.

Openness and transparency will overcome rumors, exaggerations and falsehoods. Perhaps the report can be posted in full on the RIOC web site?

Mr. Shane repled:

Because of the nature of this matter and the allegations of misconduct, while there is the potential for further legal action, I would prefer not to post the report. I would expect the RIRA report, the author having had the opportunity to review the Director's report, will satisfy on the questions that others may have. Besides, it won't be self serving, as I'm sure many would expect the Director's report to be.

Of course Mr. Shane would "prefer" not to release this report on the incident. Government officials, not just RIOC, often prefer to keep as much information as they can from the public fearing embarrassment, ridicule, the revelation of mistakes and public misunderstanding, In some cases there may be a legitimate privacy, security or legal reason for government witholding of information but there has not been a showing yet by RIOC of a legitimate reason for not releasing Mr. Guerra's report on the incident to the public particularly since RIOC is willing to share the information with a former RIRA Public Safety Committe Chairperson. (Without any positive or negative connotation express or implied, I believe this person is a former Police Officer). Note that the information is not being shared for review by the current RIRA Public Safety Chairperson.

Funneling the contents of this report through the former head of RIRA's Public Safety Committee is simply not an adequate substitute for a full public community review by any Roosevelt Island resident who wishes to read the report and find out what it reveals.

Here are the latest design renderings for the Roosevelt Island Tram Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Stations.

RIOC President Steve Shane reports on the progress of the Roosevelt Island Tram Modernization program:

Tram Overhaul: The schedule for a July 2009 shutdown and December reopening has shifted. The Contractor, POMA, has requested sliding the window of closure to accommodate redesign changes in the structural elements, principally the tower heads and the necessary bracing. Design and fabrication of the various elements is well advanced. A shutdown on September 8 and a reopening in February now being finalized. Better coordination with architectural work at the two stations will result. I met again with Community Board 8 on June 3. Architectural work for Tram stations is proceeding. A preliminary sketch of the Manhattan and Island stations is posted on the RIOC website, but it is an evolving concept.

Mr. Shane's statement is part of his column that appears both on this blog and in the Main Street WIRE. His full column will appear in whole later in the week.

I would like to remember the current Tram like this representation of it taken at it's 33rd birthday.

Dedicated to the kind of games you might’ve invented when you were a child, the fourth annual Come Out and Play festival takes over the city this weekend. Expect creative competitions like the Neo-Cowgirl Faux Rodeo, Circle Rules Football (played in the round using a giant Pilates ball) and Stalk Exchange, a cellphone game designed for Grand Central. The festival concludes with an awards ceremony, but c’mon: we’re all winners here.

The Seventh Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party returns to Madison Square Park June 13-14, 2009, from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM. The weekend-long event takes place every June and brings together the country’s top pitmasters who cook up their award-winning food for over a hundred thousand barbecue enthusiasts. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Madison Square Park, the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party attracts people from near and far to sustain and celebrate America’s authentic culinary and musical traditions.

World Science Festival Street Fair10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Washington Square ParkThe Washington Square Park area is transformed into a science wonderland when the World Science Festival Youth and Family Street Fair returns to New York City, Sunday, June 14, 2009. This year’s extravaganza will feature a non-stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows designed to entertain and inspire. Join us for a full day of free family fun.

The MTA is reporting no Roosevelt Island F Train subway advisories this weekend and neither is RIOC with Tram advisories. Smooth Roosevelt Island transportation this weekend for the first time in a couple of weeks. However, RIOC is advising that:

Be advised on Sunday June 14th from 8 AM to 11 AM, there will be approximately 200 people walking on the seawall during a walkathon.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Children Standing Next To FDR Wheelchair Statue in Washington DC Image From Carol

On June 3, 2009 the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) adopted the following resolution supporting a plan for the proposed Four Freedoms Park at Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park that includes a depiction of FDR as a disabled person utilizing a wheelchair or crutches. The Resolution states:

RESOLUTION REGARDING MEMORIAL DEPICTION OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT IN THE PLANS FOR THE FOUR FREEDOMS MEMORIAL PARK

WHEREAS from its initial planning stages, Roosevelt Island was conceived as a place in New York City that could be accessible and comfortable to disabled residents; and

WHEREAS we live in the America of President Barack Obama and Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor - the America where now more than ever before we are witness to an unprecedented abundance of role models from previously underrepresented segments of society, who have overcome racial, ethnic, and class struggles to rise to the highest levels of leadership; and

WHEREAS before them was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who despite being disabled by Polio and confined to a wheelchair, was elected President of the United States, and is now remembered as one of the most effective and courageous men to have led this country; and

WHEREAS just as school aged children have been awakened to aspire to higher achievements, once thought to be beyond their grasp, a memorial depicting President Roosevelt, as he truly lived, in a wheelchair or on crutches, would have the same effect on the disabled community to see that one of our most beloved presidents was able to overcome his disability and be elected to the highest office in the country; and

WHEREAS the continued resident population of Roosevelt Island, uniquely composed in significant part of many disabled persons, residing both independently in apartments or within the two chronic care hospitals located on the island, renders a true portrayal of President Roosevelt more meaningful and poignant on Roosevelt Island than any in any other location; and

THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the Roosevelt Island Residents Association supports a plan for the Four Freedoms Park that includes a celebration of President Roosevelt as a disabled person by depicting him in a wheelchair or on crutches.

-Adopted by the Common Council of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association 6/3/09

... The FDR Memorial on this Island should focus on the President’s strength in conquering his disability. Many possibilities come to mind. For instance, he should not be memorialized with a bust. We should see a greater-than-life-sized statue of him sitting in a wheelchair – and he should face north toward Goldwater and Coler Hospitals....

RIDA previously issued this statement calling for the recognition of FDR as a disabled person:

On behalf of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and it's many disabled members we want to voice our opposition to a glaring deficit in the current proposal for the FDR Memorial to be built at the Southern tip of Roosevelt Island.

President Roosevelt was disabled by Polio before he was elected President of the United States and used a wheelchair almost exclusively. A statue of President Roosevelt sitting in a wheelchair or standing with the help of his crutches would be most appropriate here on an Island where many disabled people reside, both in apartments and in the two chronic care hospitals. In the same manner that our first black president, Barack Obama, has inspired so many school- aged black children to aspire to higher achievements, once thought to be impossible, would have the same effect on the disabled community when viewing a statue of one of our most beloved presidents and realizing that he, too, was disabled and was able to overcome his disability and be elected to the highest office in the country. What an inspiration that would be for the multitude of disabled visitors, especially our wheelchair bound war veterans returning from Iraq, to visualize that despite their disability anything is possible. The memorial, as shown in the artist's sketches. does not portray FDR as disabled and we feel that this is an injustice to us all. It is said that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In this instance, a statue of FDR depicted as our first disabled President would speak volumes to the millions of visitors, disabled and non-disabled who will be visiting The FDR Memorial for generations to come.

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association Board of Directors and it's members

In order to incorporate The Four Freedoms aspect to a FDR Memorial depicting his use of a wheelchair or crutches, each of the four sides of such a statue's base could be engraved with one the Four Freedoms.

The decision as to what a FDR Memorial on Roosevelt Island will ultimately be is in the hands of the Roosevelt Island Board of Directors, of which 7 of the 9 are residents of Roosevelt Island. As stated in the February 6, 2009 Conditional Designation Letter (Page 1) for the proposed FERI supported FDR Memorial:

... RIOC retains all rights at any time to revoke this Agreement and the FDR Project will be subject to approval by RIOC's Board of Directors...

A vote of the RIOC Board may be scheduled for the June 25 meeting at which time the RIOC Board can reject FERI's proposal unless it includes a depiction of FDR as called for in the RIRA Resolution and RIDA letter. Let's hope that the Roosevelt Island resident RIOC Board members support their neighbors in RIRA, RIDA and all those around the nation who have overcome great personal hardships and challenges, including our returning disabled war veterans, by supporting a FDR Roosevelt Island Memorial that includes a depiction of his use of a wheelchair or crutches.

Please, somebody try and tell me that this picture of the little girl on crutches walking next to the Washington DC FDR Wheelchair Statue is not a more appropriate and inspirational model for Roosevelt Island's Four Freedoms Park

If you like Ping Pong and some competitive action, though not quite as spectacular as those in the above video, tonight is your night to join some other Roosevelt Islanders for the start of a weekly Thursday Ping Pong Night at the Sportspark - 250 Main Street.

In NYC songwriting circles — that scene that seems to exist at places like Joe's Pub and the Living Room, where Norah Jones' career trajectory is everyone's goal — Leah Siegel has been an artist to watch for quite a few years now, with her soulful, elegant songs that sit somewhere between the sparse weirdness of indie-folk and the straightforward palatability of regular folk

Chana Rothman uniquely fuses Lilith-esque singer/songwriter folk mentality with progressive worldbeat in two languages. Like an eclectic '07 Rickie Lee Jones/Joni Mitchell, her politics, her obvious bohemianism and her delicate vocal phrasing push her sound into a delicious mix that also incorporates reggae and hip hop

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

RIOC President Steve Shane responds to the recent event at Roosevelt Island's Capobianco Field where a ball field permit dispute between a Roosevelt Island Little League team and an Off-Island Adult League resulted in the handcuffing and arrest of a parent. The Main Street WIRE has more on the incident here. It should be noted that last week's games went on without incident.

Below is Mr. Shane's statement on the incident.

... Now for my views on the unfortunate events of Saturday, May 30, 2009 where a fracas erupted between the users of a field and the subsequent permit holders. The loss of control in front of the children resulting in racial and homophobic slurs and refusal to comply with lawful authority was truly a sad day on Roosevelt Island. The story has received wide attention on the Island and I need not repeat the details here. However, lack of civility and civil disobedience cannot be tolerated in a peaceful community. The escalation of the dispute to the point that Public Safety was called to intervene was entirely unnecessary, but once called, the officers had a duty to keep the peace. When all but one person obeyed the officers’ requests to vacate the field in favor of the legitimate permit holder, Public Safety was left with no choice. The vilification of Public Safety by the supposedly responsible voices of this community does nothing to promote the common welfare, enhance domestic tranquility or have rational conversations about problem solving. Inflammatory rhetoric may have its place, but not here where I find it singularly unproductive.

The Chief of Public Safety has conducted a full investigation of the actions of his officers and I have reviewed it with our Counsel. Would I have preferred that the incident could have been closed without an arrest? Absolutely. But, in the field, when faced with the circumstances of the moment, decisions have to be made and in my opinion, there was nothing unreasonable that was done. I have requested the now former head of RIRA’s Public Safety Committee to meet with Chief Guerra and to review all of the information on this incident and to report to both RIRA and RIOC on his findings. He has indicated that if so requested by RIRA, he will proceed. I suggest that all await the full findings before leaping to any conclusions.

Finally, to try to resolve the underlying problem of our playing fields in a crowded society, we are putting more manpower resources into advance preparation of the fields so as to try to mitigate the impact of weather on scheduling and playability. There is a limit on what can be accomplished, but it seems to have worked better this past weekend, even with heavy overnight rain. Please! Everyone can do better.

Mr. Shane's statement is part of his column that appears both on this blog and in the Main Street WIRE. His full column will appear in whole later in the week.

For those who happened to miss last Saturday's Roosevelt Live event at the Riverwalk Commons, or were there and just want to see themselves dancing with the Pink Haired Girls to the music played by the Vintage DJ - a video for posterity.

It was a beautiful day and fun for all. Good job by the organizers!

Fun Roosevelt Island Day activities also took place at the traditional Good Shepherd Plaza Block Party event and blogger Lateral Window has a photo montage.

More image from Roosevelt Island Day below. I always liked the Half-Moon as a kid but I'm much too big for it now. Too bad.

I would like to think that I live in a community that allows me to leave my door unlocked. If someone enters without permission, they are looking for trouble. It's sad that we have to keep our doors locked, but I guess that's the world we now live in.

To which another reader replied:

wow, if you have that attitude, just hand me your wallet and SS# so I can steal your identity as well. Just post it here on this website, since we live in such a "safe community"

Missing Property - Tenant reported to PSD that she left her door to apartment open while vacuuming, when unknown person took her pocketbook from kitchen table. PSD responded and made search with negative results. NYPD responded, but no report was taken by NYPD.

There's also someone handing out counterfeit money as reported in to:

Petit Larceny/Counterfeit U.S. Currency - Male subject handed pizza delivery person money for pizza. When delivery person noticed that it was counterfeit, subject fled. Money was taken to NYPD and vouchered. NYPD will look into occurrence.

Has RIOC come to any conclusions regarding last week's non-rush hour morning Red Bus fixed time schedule? Are there any plans to continue the new schedule in the future and expand it to include other or additional time periods?

If you are planning to continue the Red Bus Schedule Experiments, several readers have suggested posting the schedule at the bus stops.

Mr. Shane replied:

Conclusions so far include continuing the experiment for 2 days this week, since data collection last week got off to a rocky start; and there are some holes produced by a schedule that could use attention. The plan, after review, is to extend to earlier rush hour periods to see what happens there as well. The present experiment hasn't got enough demand to really create a stress test differential.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Image of Parent Being Arrest In Little League Permit Dispute From Main Street WIRE

RIOC is posting the most current Daily and April/May 2009 Monthly Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident reports on their web site. Also, available is a breakdown of Roosevelt Island Public Safety incidents by location and category (the Blotter) for the months of April/May 2009.

Below are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for May 27 - June 8 , 2009. Incidents include:

Open Container- Detectives observed two males consuming alcohol in light house park, subjects were summons.

Aided- Female was not feeling well all day, walked into PSD requesting medical attention, transported to Long Island University Hospital.

Hazardous Condition/Aided- Female fell while walking on the East Seawall, reports a hole in the ground caused her to trip. Refused medical attention.

Open Container- Detectives observed two female consuming alcohol in public, subjects were summoned.

Arrest/Possession of blade greater than 4 inch/ trespass- Subjects were inside public bathroom with a strong smell of illegal substance emitting from it. Subjects had a knife, they were arrested, summonsed and released.

Missing Bike- Female entered PSD to report a missing bike last parked at 455 Main St.

Disorderly Conduct - PSD responded to North Town park for dispute over baseball field 1 male subject arrested, summons and released.

Criminal Mischief- PSD responded Motorgate for report of vehicle window broken. Search was made with negative results. Motorgate attendant notified and found no vehicle info.

0700 hrs 05/31/09 - 0700 hrs 06/01/09

Graffiti - PSD responded to report of graffiti written in chalk. Search was made with negative results. Grounds cleaned up graffiti.

Verbal Dispute - Between two females. PSD responded and spoke to both parties. Both parties went their own way without further incident.

Reckless Endangerment - Female complainant reported to PSD that unknown person threw out a piece of iron out of window. PSD conducted search with negative results. No injuries.

Restraining Order - Female reported to PSD that she had a male subject inside apartment and had a restraining order against him. PSD responded and male subject was allowed to get his belongings and leave. Reporter will provide PSD with copy of order.

Criminal Mischief - PSD responded to hallway next to apartment for report of youths trashing hallway. Youths were gone on arrival. Youths scratched walls with razor causing paint to peel. Super was notified.

Burglary - Tenant reported to PSD that someone broke into his apartment while he was away. Three game systems and two lap tops were taken. No signs of forced entry. NYPD was on scene and took a report.

0700 hrs 06/01/09 - 0700 hrs 06/02/09

Grand Larceny - Worker reported to PSD that unknown person took wallet from locker room. PSD made search with negative results. Cameras were viewed with negative results. Wallet contained credit cards and no money. Victim stated he will go to 114 pct. on his own.

Petit Larceny - PSD responded to group home for past Petit Larceny. Subject was on scene and taken into custody. Subject was taken to 114 pct. and processed by NYPD.

Investigation/Recovered Bike - Tenant reported to PSD that two youths took bike from patio and attempted to leave with it. Owner grabbed bike. Youths fled without bike. PSD searched area with negative results.

Aided - RIOC bus door closed on aided's arm while exiting the bus. PSD responded and aided stated she had no injuries and refused medical attention.

Unsecured Premises - PSD noticed open window to an apartment. Super was notified and secured location. Apartment is vacant.

Lost Property - Owner came into PSD to report lost bracelet. Report was taken.

Assault - Mother walked into PSD to report that her daughter was assaulted by male youth inside of school. Mother states daughter was previously harassed by same youth. School is aware of situation. Mother took daughter to hospital for evaluation.

0700 hrs 06/04/09 - 0700 hrs 06/05/09

Investigation - Tenant reported to PSD that after returning from church, she noticed her purse containing money and jewelry missing from her apartment. PSD responded and found no force entry. NYPD refused.

Criminal Mischief - Unknown subject broke glass to hallway door causing it to shatter. PSD responded and made search with negative results. Super was notified and cleaned up glass.

Aided/Intoxicated - PSD observed male on ground and attempted to wake him up. Male didn't responded and EMS was called. When EMS arrived, male got up and stated he was drinking and walked to his building. Aided refused any medical attention.

0700 hrs 06/05/09 - 0700 hrs 06/06/09

Verbal Dispute - Between mother and son. Mother requested son to leave. NYPD was on scene and allowed son to retrieve his property and escorted out of building. Referred incident to court.

Damaged Railing - At Tram was damaged by unknown person. Area was cautioned off.

Lost Property - Owner reported to PSD that she left her wallet in store and when she returned it was gone. Store owner stated he didn't see wallet.

Harassment - PSD officers observed two females in verbal dispute. Victim reported other female keeps following her. NYPD was on scene and filed report for harassment.

Reckless Endangerment - Report of unknown person threw object out of window. PSD responded and made search with negative results. No injuries.

Criminal Mischief- Tenant reported to PSD that screen on her window was broken and window was open. Reporter stated there does not appear to be anything missing from bedroom. NYPD was refused and will notify service.

Aided/Water Rescue - Boat was in distress. NYPD and FDNY was on scene. Boat was dragged to pier in Queens.

The Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movie Concert Series will start soon and RIOC is conducting an online poll to determine what movies to show. Below are the possible movie choices. Click here to take the poll and select your Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movie. Below are the movie selections but click on the link above to take the poll. The current results are here. Madagascar 2, 50 First Dates, Hairspray, Pirates of the Carribean and Forest Gump are currently leading in their respective categories.

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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!

Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.

The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.